Kabul Hospital Airstrike: 400 Dead as Afghanistan Accuses Pakistan
Afghanistan has stated that a Pakistani airstrike late on Monday targeted a hospital in Kabul, resulting in hundreds of casualties. The Taliban government reported that at least 400 people were killed and up to 250 others injured in the attack on the Omid drug rehabilitation facility. Pakistan has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that its military operations were precisely aimed at terrorist infrastructure and military installations in Kabul and the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar.
Details of the Attack and Conflicting Claims
According to Hamdullah Fitrat, a spokesperson for the Taliban, the strike occurred at approximately 9pm local time on Monday. He described extensive destruction at the hospital, with rescue teams urgently working to control fires and search for victims trapped under debris. In a statement on social media platform X, Fitrat expressed grave concerns over the heavy toll, emphasising the civilian nature of the site.
In contrast, Pakistan's information and broadcasting ministry issued a statement overnight, refuting the claims of hitting a hospital. The ministry insisted that the operation targeted locations linked to armed groups responsible for cross-border terrorism, with careful measures to avoid collateral damage. It accused Afghanistan of misreporting facts to stir sentiments and cover illegitimate support for terrorism.
Eyewitness Accounts and International Response
Residents across Kabul reported hearing loud explosions shortly before 9pm, followed by the sound of aircraft and air defence systems. Sharafat Zaman Amarkhail, spokesman for Afghanistan's health ministry, told the BBC that there were no military facilities near the hospital, contradicting Pakistan's justification for the strike.
The United Nations has expressed alarm over the escalating violence. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan, stated he was "dismayed" by reports of Pakistani airstrikes and civilian deaths. He extended condolences and urged all parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint, and respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals.
According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, at least 75 people have been killed and 193 injured in cross-border violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan since 26 February, highlighting a broader pattern of regional instability.
Background and Regional Tensions
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both nations frequently accusing each other of harbouring militants and conducting cross-border attacks. The airstrike comes amid a backdrop of disrupted resettlement efforts for Afghan returnees, as border conflicts continue to undermine peace and stability in the region.
The conflicting narratives from Kabul and Islamabad reflect deep-seated geopolitical rivalries, with civilian infrastructure becoming a focal point in the dispute. As rescue operations continue and the death toll is verified, international observers are calling for independent investigations to ascertain the facts and prevent further escalation of hostilities.
